Fulbright-Schuman Research Project: Teacher Education in the European Union after the Bologna Process

During my time in the EU, I collected some useful data on the topic of teacher education in the EU. I met and talked with several professors at Leiden University, the University of Amsterdam, the Open University, and Utrecht University. I was also able to meet with the Bologna Process representative from the Netherlands at the Ministry of Education in The Hague, who provided some very interesting information on the progress of the Process itself. I also visited several ELOS schools in the Netherlands, and am working with schools here in New York on developing some active partnerships. These were all great learning opportunities.

In Sweden, I met with faculty in the field of teacher education and psychology at Stockholm University and Uppsala University. I also met with officials at the Office for Higher Education in Stockholm as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education. I think my most memorable days were spent in schools in Stockholm. I was able to visit the Adolf Fredricks School (picture attached) which specializes in the education of gifted music students. I also spent several days at the Vittra Schools in Stockholm, a new, innovative school model which offers a unique primary education to children. Through all these visits, not only did I learn about approaches to education in both countries, but was able to share some insights with them about American education as well. I think it was a learning experience for all of us on issues both continents care deeply about.

Finally, I was able to visit the OECD and UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and came away with information I am already using in my course, this summer, on global school reform.

I want to sincerely thank the European Commission for this opportunity. It was an extraordinary learning experience, one that has already begun to enlarge my perspectives and deepen my global understandings.
I’ve also attached some pictures of some of these experiences as well.

And thanks to the Fulbright Commission for its guidance throughout the journey.